Y/N'S POV

After a week of arduous planning and countless late nights with Ryujin, the long-anticipated party was finally upon us.

She had approached me the day after I received her cryptic letter, suggesting that the event take place at another gang's base. The venue—a grand living room adorned with a built-in bar—had an irresistible allure. I agreed almost immediately, my curiosity piqued by the prospect of experiencing a new setting.

I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed the process of orchestrating every detail. Yet, it was impossible to ignore the tension simmering beneath the surface. Jennie and Eunwoo, ever sceptical of Ryujin’s intentions, cast her wary glances and thinly veiled disdain whenever she was near. They constantly cautioned me, their voices tinged with urgency, warning me to keep my distance.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was far more direct. Every time he entered a room where Ryujin and I were together, he would either pull me aside or demand, with thinly veiled annoyance, that she leave. Ryujin, true to her unyielding nature, rarely obliged.

At the ball, Jungkook had expressed his distrust of her with such vehemence that I suspected he might have been exaggerating. Nevertheless, I sought to assuage his concerns with a promise: after the party, I would sever all ties with Ryujin. He had reluctantly agreed, but I could still sense his lingering unease.

Now, with all the preparations complete, there was nothing left to do but wait for the night to unfold. The air was thick with anticipation, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this evening would truly go as planned—or if it would unravel everything I thought I knew.

★——★

Ryujin and I had meticulously planned to wear identical dresses and hairstyles for the evening. Matching down to the finest detail, we aimed to look indistinguishable. I admit it might be excessive, but deep down, I knew this was likely the last meaningful moment I’d share with her. If it came down to choosing between my friendship with Ryujin and avoiding conflict with Jungkook, I would choose the latter without hesitation.

Jungkook is my everything. The intensity of my feelings for him is something I’ve come to accept, and I’m certain he feels the same. Being by his side feels like stepping into a world where everything aligns perfectly, where all my chaos finds its calm.

“Y/N? Y/N!” A sharp voice snapped me out of my reverie. Turning away from the vanity, I was met with Lia’s disapproving gaze as she snatched the makeup brush from my hand and began tidying up the mess I hadn’t realised I’d made.

“Sorry, Lia. Just a lot on my mind,” I murmured with a sigh. She nodded silently, her expression softening as she continued her task.

The silence that followed was comfortable, almost soothing. Once Lia had finished, I offered her a quiet thank you before standing to take in my reflection.

The dress clung to me like a second skin—a sleek, turquoise silk creation that stopped just above my knees, featuring a subtle slit down one side. It was a perfect match to Ryujin’s. Excitement coursed through me as I hurried to the door, eager to check on the preparations downstairs. But as I stepped out, I collided with a firm chest.

Looking up, I was met with a familiar, smug smile. My lips curled upward instinctively. His eyes slowly travelled over my frame, appreciation evident in his gaze, before his hands found their place on my hips. He pulled me into an embrace, resting his head in the crook of my neck.

“You look stunning—more than usual tonight,” he murmured, his voice low and warm.

A soft laugh escaped me as I wrapped my arms around his neck, allowing him to kiss me. We lingered there, caught in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

“Thanks, birdy,” I teased, breaking the kiss with a playful smile. His expression shifted into a faint frown, and he extended his arm. I linked mine through his without hesitation.

Together, we walked out the door and into the cool night air, heading towards the line of limousines parked out front. Sliding into the first one, the journey to the house was brief—mere minutes, yet it felt timeless with him beside me.

As I stepped out of the car, the faint thrum of music greeted me, growing louder with each passing second. The energy of the night was palpable.

Party time.

★——★

As we approached the bar, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Loud music reverberated through the air, and a kaleidoscope of colourful lights danced across the room. The crowd was alive, a pulsating mass of energy that sent a rush of adrenaline surging through my veins. Jungkook and I moved to the bar, where he casually ordered four shots of vodka, his gaze drifting to the dance floor as he leaned against the counter.

I felt his arm snake around my waist, the warmth of his touch igniting a familiar heat that spread through my body. I didn’t need to look to know it was him. His lips brushed against my ear, his voice low and intimate.

“You did all this,” he murmured, gesturing towards the lively crowd. I followed his gaze, taking in the smiling faces and carefree laughter. The realisation struck me—it was my work, my efforts, that had created this.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I nodded, chuckling softly. “Thanks to you,” I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder.

Moments later, a group of girls approached me, their nervous excitement evident in their expressions. They hesitated before one of them finally found her voice.

“Hi, Ms Y/N. We just wanted to say thank you for hosting such an amazing party. It’s incredible, and we’d love for you to join us on the dance floor,” she said, pointing to the open space amidst the crowd.

Their enthusiasm was infectious, though a flicker of apprehension coursed through me. I wasn’t entirely comfortable being the centre of attention, but Jungkook’s encouraging smile gave me the push I needed.

I stood, downing one of the vodka shots for courage, and leaned in to plant a quick kiss on Jungkook’s lips before letting the girls lead me to the dance floor.

The vodka heightened my senses, making everything feel sharper—the lights, the music, the energy of the crowd. Thankfully, the space wasn’t packed tightly, so I didn’t have to brush against too many bodies.

Closing my eyes, I allowed the rhythm of the music to take over. My hips began to sway instinctively, my movements fluid and unrestrained. The beat pulsed through me, and for a moment, I felt utterly free, losing myself in the music.

When I finally opened my eyes, I noticed the girls cheering me on, their excitement buoying my confidence. But as I scanned the room, I realised something peculiar—all the men were avoiding looking in my direction, their expressions marked by an unmistakable fear.

“I wonder who’s responsible for that,” I mused with a wry smile, my gaze drifting back to the bar. Sure enough, Jungkook’s eyes were fixed on me, his intense stare cutting through the crowd.

The way he looked at me sent a thrill coursing through my veins. Smiling to myself, I swayed my waist more deliberately, letting the music guide me as I revelled in teasing him.

The adrenaline coursed through me as I danced, the pounding music seizing control of my senses. Time became meaningless, and I had no idea how long I spent lost in the rhythm. But eventually, the heat and sweat on my skin reminded me it was time to take a break.

As I made my way back to the bar, I glanced around for the girls to thank them, but what I saw instead made me pause. They were huddled in a corner, counting stacks of cash with sly grins. The moment they noticed me watching, their expressions shifted to scowls, and they scattered before I could confront them.

Shaking off the unease, I approached the bar, only to find that Jungkook was nowhere to be seen. I ordered another shot of vodka and asked the bartender if he’d seen him.

“A woman came up to him,” he said. “Offered him a drink, then dragged him away.”

“A woman?” I repeated, a knot forming in my stomach.

It wasn’t like Jungkook to leave without telling me, and I couldn’t shake the uneasiness creeping over me. Determined to find him, I ventured out of the crowded room and into the quiet hallways. The change of scenery was a relief, my tense muscles loosening slightly.

But as I walked, the silence began to weigh on me. My footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, the sound mingling with the frantic pounding of my heart.

And then I heard it—a faint thumping sound.

I stopped in my tracks, straining to locate the source of the noise. My instincts screamed at me to follow it, and I quickened my pace, my dread intensifying with each step.

When I reached the door, I heard a different sound. Groaning.

My hand trembled as I reached for the handle, my thoughts spiralling into denial.

It doesn’t have to be him. It could be anyone.

But deep down, I knew. My gut never lied.

The door creaked open, and my world came crashing down.

There he was.

Jungkook.

On the bed.

With her.

Ryujin.

They didn’t even notice me standing there, frozen in shock. She was on top of him, her hands greedily roaming his chest as she attempted to rip his shirt off. His hands were equally shameless—one gripping her waist, the other tenderly cradling her face as he kissed her with a passion that tore through me like a blade.

I bit down on my lip so hard that I tasted blood, desperate to silence the scream building in my chest. Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t wait for them to notice me. I turned and ran.

I didn’t know where I was going—anywhere but here.

Bursting through the grand exit, I saw Jungkook’s guards stationed nearby. They looked confused at my sudden appearance without him, but I didn’t give them a chance to question me.

“I’m leaving. Alone,” I commanded, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside me.

Before they could protest, I spread my wings and launched into the night sky.

The rain soaked me to the bone as I flew aimlessly, my tears mingling with the downpour. The ache in my chest was unbearable, a crushing weight I couldn’t escape.

I don’t care if he was drunk. There’s no excuse.

My wings faltered, exhaustion overtaking me, and I plummeted to the ground. The impact was painful, but it was nothing compared to the agony already tearing me apart.

On my knees, I buried my face in my hands and screamed, my cries echoing through the forest. My body shook with sobs, my knees scraped and bleeding, my heart shattered beyond repair.

He was my first.

My first kiss.

My first love.

And now, he was my first heartbreak.

I didn’t want there to be a tomorrow.

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